diff --git a/lib/models/redaction.dart b/lib/models/redaction.dart
index 2fb3b2fd..506911e6 100644
--- a/lib/models/redaction.dart
+++ b/lib/models/redaction.dart
@@ -39,5 +39,7 @@ String prettyDateString(BuildContext context, DateTime date) {
     // }
     return AppLocalizations.of(context)!.now;
   }
-  return DateFormat.yMd(Platform.localeName).add_jm().format(date.toLocal());
+  // note: explicitly overriding the 'locale' here to force
+  // a consistent YYYY-mm-dd HH::MM format.
+  return DateFormat.yMd('en_CA').add_jm().format(date.toLocal());
 }